LOL another home run.....while SI sleeps Microsoft creeps in and cuts the deal.
Access Technologies Deploys Microsoft-Based All-Software IP PBX
INDIANAPOLIS and NAPERVILLE, Ill., Mar 22, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via
COMTEX/ -- Access Technologies has deployed a Microsoft-based, all-software IP
PBX by Interactive Intelligence Inc. (Nasdaq: ININ) -- an IP telephony solution
developed specifically for the Microsoft Business Solutions customer.
(Logo: newscom.com )
The company purchased the new solution, which is pre-integrated with Microsoft
CRM for small to mid-sized businesses and a first-of-its-kind communications
portal, to increase productivity among its remote and mobile employees,
according to Access Technologies founder and chief executive officer, Lindy
Antonelli, CITP, CPA.
"As a small business with about half of our employees working from home or in
the field, we needed a reliable communications solution that was also cost-
effective and easily accessible from anywhere, and at anytime," Antonelli said.
"We chose the Interactive Intelligence IP PBX, because it was the only system
that offered a voice-enabled portal tightly integrated with the complete
Microsoft product suite -- from MS Exchange to MS CRM."
Access Technologies is using the all-software version of the Interactive
Intelligence IP PBX, called Enterprise Interaction Center(R) (EIC), which
incorporates Intel's Host Media Processing software, thus eliminating the need
for voice boards. According to Intel, this simplifies maintenance, and can
reduce costs by up to 40 percent compared to board-based IP deployments.
Access Technologies is also using EIC's Enterprise Communications Portal
developed by Ohio-based Interactive Solutions, an Interactive Intelligence
Premier National Integration Partner. The Enterprise Communications Portal is a
browser-based portal pre-integrated with MS CRM, which takes advantage of EIC's
call control features. The portal gives mobile and remote users screen pop
functionality, along with applications such as unified messaging and presence
management.
Access Technologies is also using EIC for SIP-based switching, auto- attendant,
workgroup routing, conferencing, call forward/follow-me, and reporting. The
product supports all 20 company employees, who are now equipped with Polycom IP
phones.
"Since installing our new solution, we've seen increased productivity, improved
call quality, reduced infrastructure maintenance, and enhanced customer
service," Antonelli said. "Employees especially love the fact that, from
anywhere, they can now simply log onto a Web page and access a wealth of
back-office data, including customer lead tracking information, call center
statistics, and the company directory. And being able to do things like
forwarding voice mails as e-mail attachments from their in-box, and listening to
e-mails over the phone, has made them more responsive to co-workers and clients
alike."
Antonelli adds that EIC's workgroup routing has also greatly enhanced customer
service. "With the old system, callers had to zero-out to the operator if they
got someone's voice mail," she said. "Now, if callers get voice mail, they can
be forwarded automatically to another workgroup or employee based on a
pre-configured routing plan. Clients love this new accessibility."
Interactive Solutions is currently adding Microsoft's accounting software, MS
Great Plains, and its portal engine, MS SharePoint, to the Enterprise
Communications Portal. Access Technologies expects to deploy this new
functionality by the end of June. As a technology consulting firm specializing
in Microsoft business applications, Access Technologies will also offer the
portal solution to its customers.
Interactive Intelligence first released EIC in 1997 as one of the first
Windows-based "un-PBXs" on the market. In 2003, EIC became the first product of
its kind to incorporate Intel's HMP software. With the introduction of the
Enterprise Communications Portal, EIC becomes the first and only "out-of-the-
box" IP PBX designed specifically for the Microsoft SMB.
"Access Technologies is a great example of how a single solution can provide
Microsoft SMBs with an entry-point into IP PBX technology, complete with a
Windows-based telephony client, advanced call control, routing functionality,
and more, all pre-integrated with proven Microsoft infrastructure and business
applications," said Interactive Intelligence president and chief executive
officer, Dr. Donald E. Brown.
About Access Technologies
Access Technologies is a full-service technology consulting firm providing
Microsoft business solutions to mid-market organizations throughout the nation.
These services include application implementation, customization and
development, training, ongoing support, and systems analysis and management. The
company has been a Great Plains partner since 1989, and following Microsoft's
acquisition of Great Plains, became a certified MS Business Solutions partner in
2001. Access Technologies was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in
Naperville, Illinois. Its telephone number is +1-630-868-5000; on the Web:
www.accesstek.net
About Interactive Solutions
Interactive Solutions develops applications that leverage the IP telephony
expertise of core partners, Microsoft and Interactive Intelligence. The company
also provides complete implementation and support services to participating
Interactive Intelligence resellers. Interactive Solutions is an Interactive
Intelligence Premier National Integration Partner, and a Microsoft-Certified
Partner and Microsoft Independent Software Vendor. To date, Interactive
Solutions has successfully completed more than 120 customer implementations
nationwide. The company's next-generation communications portal provides
customers with browser-based access to integrated telephony, unified messaging,
Microsoft CRM and Great Plains applications on the desktop. Interactive
Solutions is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and can be reached at
+1-513-619-5100 or www.int-sol.com
About Interactive Intelligence Inc.
Interactive Intelligence Inc. (Nasdaq: ININ) is a global developer of
Microsoft-based business communications solutions. It develops software for IP
telephony, contact center automation, unified communications, and customer
self-service. Interactive Intelligence was founded in 1994 and has more than
1,000 customers worldwide. Recent awards include Software Magazine's 2003 Top
500 Global Software and Services Companies, Network Computing Magazine's 2003
Editor's Choice, Internet Telephony Magazine's 2003 Editor's Choice and Product
of the Year, Customer Inter@ction Solutions Magazine's 2003 Product of the Year,
and ContactCenterWorld.com's 2004 Members' Choice. Interactive Intelligence
employs approximately 350 people and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The company has 12 offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Its
telephone number is +1-317-872-3000; on the Web: www.ININ.com
This release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve a number
of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially are described in the company's SEC filings.
Interactive Intelligence Inc. is the owner of the marks INTERACTIVE
INTELLIGENCE, its associated LOGO and numerous other marks. All other trademarks
mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. |
